(Host) Brian Dubie ended his yearlong bid for governor on Wednesday with a subdued but gracious concession to Peter Shumlin.

VPR's Ross Sneyd was there and has our report.

(Sneyd) Brian Dubie walked up to the podium at his campaign headquarters with his wife Penny at his side.

He'd thought about his options. He could have demanded a recount. He could have waited a few days for the results to be certified.

But he decided to call Peter Shumlin to congratulate him and wish him well.

(Dubie) "I've looked at the numbers and the numbers, there may be some change in the final outcome, but I feel pretty certain that the best thing for me to do at this time to pledge my support to Governor-elect Shumlin and to ask for Vermonters to unite around our new governor."

(Sneyd) Dubie believes Shumlin will need the public's support as he builds an administration and tackles a budget that's already more than $100 million out of balance.

(Dubie) "We've had an election. The voters have spoken. Now let's work together. And I'm calling on my supporters to work together."

(Sneyd) Dubie has been a star of the Republican Party and would be welcomed back to politics. But he declined to speculate about his own future.

(Dubie) "Any questions about the future or other ways to serve are really probably best answered later."

(Sneyd) For the time being, Dubie is still lieutenant governor and will be through early January. His last duty will be to preside over the inauguration of his successor, a few hours before his one-time opponent takes the oath as governor.